Deep-learning-based analysis of preoperative MRI predicts microvascular invasion and outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) is critical for treatment strategy making in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to develop a deep learning (DL) model based on preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to predict the MVI status and clinical outcomes in patients with HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively included a total of 321 HCC patients with pathologically confirmed MVI status. Preoperative DCE-MRI of these patients were collected, annotated, and further analyzed by DL in this study. A predictive model for MVI integrating DL-predicted MVI status (DL-MVI) and clinical parameters was constructed with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 321 HCC patients, 136 patients were pathologically MVI absent and 185 patients were MVI present. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly different between the DL-predicted MVI-absent and MVI-present. Among all clinical variables, only DL-predicted MVI status and a-fetoprotein (AFP) were independently associated with MVI: DL-MVI (odds ratio [OR] = 35.738; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.027-91.056; p < 0.001), AFP (OR = 4.634, 95% CI 2.576-8.336; p < 0.001). To predict the presence of MVI, DL-MVI combined with AFP achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.824. CONCLUSIONS: Our predictive model combining DL-MVI and AFP achieved good performance for predicting MVI and clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.

Correction to: L_RNA_scaffolder: scaffolding genomes with transcripts.

Following the publication of this article [1], the authors reported that the link to the software described in the article is no longer valid.

Comparison between tenocutaneous suture and Kessler suture techniques in treating acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effectiveness of tenocutaneous suture and conventional Kessler suture techniques in treating acute closed Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture who were admitted to our hospital from February 1998 to December 2008 underwent repair with either a tenocutaneous suture or Kessler suture technique. All patients were followed up for 1-5 years (mean, 3 years). RESULTS: According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale, the excellence rate was 91% in the Kessler suture group and 98% in the tenocutaneous suture group, with a significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Our tenocutaneous suture technique is an effective method for treating Achilles tendon rupture. It has certain advantages compared with the conventional incision method and is worthy of wide clinical application.

L_RNA_scaffolder: scaffolding genomes with transcripts.

BACKGROUND: Generation of large mate-pair libraries is necessary for de novo genome assembly but the procedure is complex and time-consuming. Furthermore, in some complex genomes, it is hard to increase the N50 length even with large mate-pair libraries, which leads to low transcript coverage. Thus, it is necessary to develop other simple scaffolding approaches, to at least solve the elongation of transcribed fragments. RESULTS: We describe L_RNA_scaffolder, a novel genome scaffolding method that uses long transcriptome reads to order, orient and combine genomic fragments into larger sequences. To demonstrate the accuracy of the method, the zebrafish genome was scaffolded. With expanded human transcriptome data, the N50 of human genome was doubled and L_RNA_scaffolder out-performed most scaffolding results by existing scaffolders which employ mate-pair libraries. In these two examples, the transcript coverage was almost complete, especially for long transcripts. We applied L_RNA_scaffolder to the highly polymorphic pearl oyster draft genome and the gene model length significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: The simplicity and high-throughput of RNA-seq data makes this approach suitable for genome scaffolding. L_RNA_scaffolder is available at http://www.fishbrowser.org/software/L_RNA_scaffolder.

Network motifs in the transcriptional regulation network of cervical carcinoma cells respond to EGF.

PURPOSE: Cervical carcinoma is the second most prevalent and the fifth most deadly malignancy seen in women worldwide. Dysregulated activation of EGF ErbB system has been implicated in diverse types of human cancer; however, it is elusive how it is regulated in human cervical cancer cells. We herein aimed to explore the mechanisms of cervical carcinoma response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), with a view of the pathways activated by EGF. METHODS: Using the GSE6783 affymetrix microarray data accessible from gene expression omnibus database, we first identified the differentially expressed genes between EGF-stimulated and -unstimulated samples. Then we constructed a regulation network and identified the network motifs. We also performed biological process and pathway enrichment analyses to functionally classify the genes in the regulation network. RESULTS: A total of 11 network motifs were identified in the regulation network. EGF treatment could increase the risk of cancer via dysregulation of cancer-related pathways and immune response pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Network motif analysis is useful in mining the useful information underlying the network. We hope our work could serve as a basis for further experimentation.

Treatment of acute and closed Achilles tendon ruptures by minimally invasive tenocutaneous suturing.

Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury, and its complications can impair function. Numerous operations have been described for reconstructing the ruptured tendon, but these methods can compromise the microcirculation in the tendon and can seriously damage healing of the tendon. Suturing with a minimally invasive tenocutaneous technique soon after the rupture and systematic functional exercise can greatly reduce the possibility of complications. From June 1996 to February 2007, we treated 20 patients (14 males), who ranged in age from 21 to 66 years old, with this method. After follow-up period of 1 to 7 years, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle Hindfoot score was 95 (range 90 to 98), and the maximum length of postoperative scarring was 3 cm. One patient again ruptured his Achilles tendon 1 year after surgery in an accident; however, after 10 months, the repaired tendon was still intact. In another patient, the nervus suralis was damaged during surgery by piercing the tension suture at the near end, causing postoperative numbness and swelling. The tension suture was quickly removed, and the patient recovered well with conservative treatment. No large irregular scars, such as those sustained during immobilization, were present over the Achilles tendon. Minimally invasive percutaneous suturing can restore the original length and continuity of the Achilles tendon, is minimally invasive, and results in fewer postoperative complications than other methods.

Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills for Cardiovascular Diseases: Effects and Mechanisms.

Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills (QSYQ) is a compound of Chinese medicine, which has been used to treat coronary heart disease and cardiac dysfunction. Its natural components include astragaloside IV, flavonoids, danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, ginsenosides Rg1, ginsenosides Rb1, and essential oils, etc. It exerts effects of nourishing qi and promoting blood circulation to relieve pain. In this review, the bioactive components of QSYQ and its effects for treating cardiovascular diseases and possible mechanism were summarized, providing references for further study and clinical application of QSYQ.

Identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) microRNAs and microRNA-related SNPs.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exist pervasively across viruses, plants and animals and play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. In the common carp, miRNA targets have not been investigated. In model species, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to impair or enhance miRNA regulation as well as to alter miRNA biogenesis. SNPs are often associated with diseases or traits. To date, no studies into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and regulation in the common carp have been reported. RESULTS: Using homology-based prediction combined with small RNA sequencing, we have identified 113 common carp mature miRNAs, including 92 conserved miRNAs and 21 common carp specific miRNAs. The conserved miRNAs had significantly higher expression levels than the specific miRNAs. The miRNAs were clustered into three phylogenetic groups. Totally 394 potential miRNA binding sites in 206 target mRNAs were predicted for 83 miRNAs. We identified 13 SNPs in the miRNA precursors. Among them, nine SNPs had the potential to either increase or decrease the energy of the predicted secondary structures of the precursors. Further, two SNPs in the 3' untranslated regions of target genes were predicted to either disturb or create miRNA-target interactions. CONCLUSIONS: The common carp miRNAs and their target genes reported here will help further our understanding of the role of miRNAs in gene regulation. The analysis of the miRNA-related SNPs and their effects provided insights into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and function. The resource data generated in this study will help advance the study of miRNA function and phenotype-associated miRNA identification.

[Item selection analysis based on quality of life scale in patients with viral myocarditis].

OBJECTIVE: To further select the items based on the pre-test version of quality of life scale in patients with viral myocarditis. METHODS: Totally 100 patients with viral myocarditis were enrolled in this study. Methodologies including frequency distribution, discrete trend, t-test, Cronbach's α coefficient, correlation coefficient and factor analysis were applied to select items from different perspectives. RESULTS: A total of 17 items were selected by frequency distribution method from the perspective of central tendency, 15 items were selected by discrete trend method from the perspective of sensitivity, 16 items were selected by t-test method from the perspective of sensitivity and discrimination, 16 items were selected by Cronbach's α coefficient method from the perspective of internal consistency, 12 items were selected by correlation coefficient method from the perspective of representation and independence, and 18 items were selected by factor analysis method from the perspective of representation. CONCLUSION: Item selection of quality of life scale in patients with viral myocarditis was successfully conducted based on the clinical epidemiological data using a variety of statistical methods.

Shengmai San for Treatment of Cardiotoxicity from Anthracyclines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Shengmai San in patients with cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase Databases from the inceptions until December 2020. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Totally 19 RCTs with 2,331 participants were included in this review. Results showed that in improving arrhythmia (13 RCTs, n=1,877, RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.52, P<0.00001), the treatment group was superior to the control group. In terms of reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.79, 95%CI -0.93 to -0.65, P<0.00001) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.58, 95%CI -0.82 to -0.35, P<0.00001), the treatment group was also better than the control group. In reducing myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) [(3 RCTs, n=256, SMD=-0.80, 95%CI -1.16 to -0.44, P<0.0001), (2 RCTs, n=126, SMD=-0.62, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.26, P=0.0007)], the treatment group was superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: Shengmai San has a positive effect on the treatment of cardiotoxicity from anthracyclines. However, in the future, it is still necessary to conduct high-quality RCTs to verify its efficacy.

[Effects of rat serum containing Chinese herbal medicine Sangen Decoction on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of osteoclasts induced by polymethylmethacrylate particles].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Sangen Decoction, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption function of osteoclasts induced by polymethylmethacrylate particles in vitro. METHODS: Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) were used to induce differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) towards osteoclasts. BMMs and polymethylmethacrylate particles with ratio of 1:3 were added to the 24-well plate and 96-well plate with bone slices respectively. A total of 50 male SD rats were divided into 5 groups randomly with each group containing 10 rats. After being treated with different drugs, serum samples of rats in each group were extracted, i.e., the blank serum, Western medicine (ibandronate) serum and high-, medium-, and low-dose Sangen Decoction serum and were added to the medium respectively. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to identify the differentiation of BMMs and for counting of osteoclasts. Area of lacuna induced by osteoclast bone resorption on the bone slices was measured by computer image processing. RESULTS: Numbers of osteoclasts of treatment groups were less than that of blank group by TRAP staining (P<0.05); numbers of osteoclasts of positive control group and high-dose Sangen Decoction group were much lower than those of medium- and low-dose Sangen Decoction groups (P<0.05), and no difference was found between Western medicine group and high-dose Sangen Decoction group (P>0.05). In bone resorption assay, area of lacuna of blank group was larger than those of treatment groups (P<0.05); areas of lacuna of Western medicine group and high-dose Sangen Decoction group were much smaller than those of medium- and low-dose Sangen Decoction groups (P<0.05), and no difference was found between Western medicine group and high-dose Sangen Decoction group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Sangen Decoction can inhibit osteoclastogenesis induced by polymethylmethacrylate particles as well as bone resorption function of osteoclasts.

KRAS, YWHAE, SP1 and MSRA as biomarkers in endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: We demonstrated that drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) inhibits endometrial tumor growth in our previous work. This research is to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between HRW and purified water groups in a xenograft mouse model of endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: Samples were analyzed using tandem mass tags (TMTs) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). DEPs were identified using bioinformatics to determine potential molecular functions and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS: In total, 11 DEPs were identified in the HRW group relative to the control. The up-regulated proteins included Gatad1, Ttyh3, Nek4, Dyrk2, and Gimap1, while the down-regulated proteins included SP1, Msl1, Plekha7, Dtwd2, MSRA, and KRAS. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were associated with the binding region, biological regulation, endocrine resistance, estrogen signaling, choline metabolism in cancer and human cytomegalovirus infection. Furthermore, network analysis indicated that KRAS and MSRA interact with YWHAE. KRAS, YWHAE and SP1 were strongly expressed, while MSRA was weak expressed in atypical hyperplasia and EC tissue as well as in HRW group in xenograft tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: KRAS, YWHAE, SP1 and MSRA might be regarded as focused biomarkers to assess the prognosis of EC.

TMA/TMAO in Hypertension: Novel Horizons and Potential Therapies.

Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease and a risk factor for various diseases. Although its mechanisms and therapies are constantly being updated and developed, they are still not fully clarified. In recent years, novel gut microbiota and its metabolites have attracted widespread attention. It is strongly linked with physiological and pathological systems, especially TMA and TMAO. TMA is formed by intestinal microbial metabolism of choline and L-carnitine and converted into TMAO by FMO3. This paper collected and collated the latest researches and mainly discussed the following four parts. It introduced gut microbiota; provided a focus on TMA, TMA-producing bacteria, and TMAO; summarized the alternations in hypertensive patients and animals; discussed the mechanisms of TMAO with two respects; and summarized the regulatory factors may be as new interventions and therapies of hypertension. And, more relevant studies are still prospected to be accomplished between hypertension and TMA/TMAO for further clinical services.

[Regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha on osteoblast function in osteogenesis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on osteoblast function in osteogenesis. METHODS: Skull-cap bone of HIF-1alpha Loxp/Loxp and VHL Loxp/Loxp C57/BL6 mice were taken out and cultured so as to obtain osteoblasts which were infected with the recombinant adenovirus Ad-Cre so as to conditionally knock out the HIF-1alpha gene and its up-stream gene for von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) using Cre-Loxp recombinase technique. Then the osteoblasts were cultured under 2% O2 for 48 hours. Real-time PCR and Western-blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), core binding factor al (RunX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Transgenic FVB mice mated with C57/BL6 mice with both HIF-1alpha and VHL alleles to obtain the mice with the osteoblasts with the HIF-1alpha and VHL genes conditionally knocked-out. At the age of 3 months the distal femurs of HIF-1alpha/VHL conditionally knocked-out mice and wild type mice were obtained to undergo hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT to evaluate the bone histomorphometry and bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF, RunX2, ALP, and OC of the HIF-1alpha conditionally knocked-out osteoblasts were all decreased and the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF, RunX2, ALP, and OC of the VHL conditionally knocked-out osteoblasts were all increased. The values of bone histomorphometry and bone mineral density (BMD) of the HIF-1alpha conditionally knocked-out mice were both significantly lower than those of the wild-type mice, whereas the values of bone histomorphometry and BMD of the VHL conditionally knocked-out mice were both significantly higher than those of the wild-type mice (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Under both the physiological and pathological hypoxia environment in bone tissues HIF-1alpha can promote the bone formation ability of osteoblast.

[The regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha on osteoblast function in postmenopausal osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on osteoblast function in postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: From October 2004 to May 2006, Cre-Loxp recombinase was used to create mice which the HIF-1alpha gene in osteoblasts was conditional knock-out, 24 female wild-type (WT) mice and 24 female conditional knock-out (CKO) mice of 3 months old were operated on ovariotomy. At 0,4,8 weeks after operation, bone histomorphometry parameters were measured with computer image analysis in HE stain sections and in tetracycline bone double labeling fluorescence sections; Bone density and the trabecular bone architecture parameters were measured by Micro-CT; The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), RunX2, OC, ALP were detected with quantitative RT-PCR; The protein expression of VEGF and RunX2 were detected with Western-blotting. RESULTS: In CKO mice, the trabecular number, volume, thickness, bone density, mineral apposition rate (MAR), the expression of VEGF, RunX2, OC, ALP on mRNA level and the expression of VEGF, RunX2 on protein level decreased significantly compared with WT mice especially in 8 weeks after operation. CONCLUSIONS: The bone formation ability of osteoblasts in CKO mice was reduced compared with WT mice after ovariotomy. HIF-1alpha can regulate the bone formation ability of osteoblasts in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

[Experimental study of core binding factor a1 gene-modified rabbit skin fibroblasts enhance bone defect repair].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate bone defect healing by true bone ceramic complex carrying core binding factor a1 (Cbfa1) gene modified rabbit skin fibroblasts. METHODS: Transfect rabbit skin fibroblasts (RSF) with both eukaryotic expression vector pSG5 which could express Cbfa1 gene and pSG5. After being cultured for 48 h, the transfected RSF were seeded into true bone ceramic (TBC) of 2 cm in length and 4 mm in diameter to construct pSG5-Cbfa1/RSF/TBC complex and pSG5/RSF/TBC complex. Forty-eight bone defect model rabbits were randomized into four groups, each has 6 rabbits (12 radius), due to different treatment. group I: with pSG5-Cbfa1/RSF/TBC complex, group II: with pSG5/RSF/TBC complex, group III: with TBC, Group IV: empty control. After being seeded and cultured for about 24 h the complexes were implanted into 2 cm long bone defects in the middle of bilateral radius of rabbits. The radius were inspected by X-ray and then the specimens were collected at the end of the fourth and twelfth weeks after operation. Then, the specimens were decalcified and histologically investigated with Hematoxylin eosin staining and Masson staining methods. Newly synthesized trabecular bone was inspected by image analysis system and the strength of bone defect area treated with graft-implantation was tested with biomechanical method-three point bending test. RESULTS: In group I, trabecular bone was actively synthesized to generate a great amount of trabecular bone and osteon. Preliminary union and bone defect healing were completed with good biomechanical characteristics. There were no newly synthesized trabecular in the other three groups, and bone defect healing were not discovered. The amount of newly synthesized trabecular bone and the results of biomechanical testing differed significantly between group I and the other three (P < 0.01). The efficacy of group I was significantly better than that of the other three groups. CONCLUSION: True bone ceramic complex composed with Cbfa1 gene modified rabbit skin fibroblasts can effectively heal bone defect in rabbits.

[Study on hepatitis B virus in saliva of dental patients].

PURPOSE: To compare the detection rate of HBV antigens in different samples, and to explore the significance of saliva transmission in the spread of HBV. METHODS: Eight hundred and ninety-one ordinary saliva samples, 578 bloody saliva samples and 450 serum samples of dental patients were collected from Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital and Dahua Hospital, and HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb were detected by ELISA method. SPSS19.0 software package was used for chi-square test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in gender, age and household registration between three types of saliva sample: ordinary saliva, bloody saliva and serum (P>0.05). Eight, 11 and 12 of HBV-M combination modes were detected from the above three samples. Six "HHAs" were detected from the normal saliva samples (0.67%), and the detection rate was similar to bloody saliva samples (0.87%) and serum samples (1.56%) (P>0.05). HBsAg detection rate in serum samples was significantly higher than bloody saliva and ordinary saliva (P<0.001). The difference between ordinary saliva and bloody saliva and between different age-group, sex-group, and census register group in serum samples was of no significant difference (P>0.05), and so was HBeAg. CONCLUSIONS: Saliva is an important transmission route of hepatitis B, and should be taken seriously. When the infectivity is strong, the virus content in saliva is high. Hepatitis B virus in saliva may come from other than sources except blood.

[Relationship between CA125 half life during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the optimal operation rate and prognosis in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the serum half life of CA(125) and the optimal operation rate and prognosis in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Clinical data of 39 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to the serum half-life of CA(125), and the optimal operation rate and prognosis were compared. RESULTS: The optimal operation rate in patients with serum half-life >or= 20 days was significantly lower than that in patients with serum half-life < 20 days (29% vs 80%, P < 0.01). Cumulative survival was higher in patients with serum half-life < 20 days (P < 0.01). Serum half-life of CA(125) and tumor residual after operation were independent prognostic factors by COX model analysis. CONCLUSION: Serum half-life of CA(125) may indicate optimal debulking operation, and it is an independent prognostic factor in ovarian carcinoma patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

[Experiment on induction of fibroblasts on 3-D cell-foam structures to express osteoblastic phenotype and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of osteogenic phenotype expression by human skin fibroblasts induced in polyglycolic acid (PGA) foams and the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors. METHODS: The fibroblasts were isolated, purified from human skin. (1) Fibroblasts were seeded onto PGA foams. The cell-PGA complexes were cultured in RCCS for 6 weeks, in the media of TNF-alpha (50 U/ml) and BMP-2 (0.1 microg/ml). 1 d, 3 and 6 weeks later, cells and extracellular matrix were investigated by electron microscopic and histochemistry observation respectively. Secretion of osteogenic markers were analyzed by biochemical methods. (2) Fibroblasts were seeded on the glass fragments or culture flasks and treated with TNF-alpha (50 U/ml) in different usage (one-time, all-time). The RT-PCR method and the immunohistochemistry fluorescence staining were used to examine the influence of TNF-alpha on the mRNA expression and the protein expression of the type I BMP receptors at 2, 4, 6, 8 d after treatment. RESULTS: Fibroblasts seeded on the PGA foams formed 3-dimensional matrix 3 weeks after seeding, which was demonstrated as osteo-tissue by tetracycline labeling and ARS staining. Cells secreted much more bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-AKP) and osteocalcin (OCN) into supernatant than the cells that were cultured in the media without TNF-a and BMP2. Eight days after all-time usage, the TNF-alpha (50 U/ml) increased the expression of the mRNA and protein of the type IB BMP receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Fibroblasts on 3-D cell-foam structures can express osteoblastic phenotype under certain inducing conditions. The numerous fibroblasts in body would be a promising resource for cell seeds candidate of tissue- engineered bone. TNF-alpha provides the essential condition for BMP2's target effect on fibroblasts, and combined use of TNF-alpha and BMP2 is one of the regulating factors.

[Effects of gel made by super absorbent polymers and urea on fine root growth and nitrogen use efficiency of Platycladus orientalis bareroot seedlings.] / 保水剂-å°¿ç´ å‡èƒ¶å¯¹ä¾§æŸè£¸æ ¹è‹—ç»†æ ¹ç”Ÿé•¿å’Œæ°®ç´ åˆ©ç”¨çŽ‡çš„å½±å“.

A pot experiment including five treatments, i.e., CK (neither fertilizer nor super absorbent polymers), U (urea alone), S [super absorbent polymers (SAP) alone], SUM (SAP mixed with urea) and SUG (gel made of SAP and urea) was conducted to evaluate their effects on fine root morphological characteristics, fine root absorption area, fine root nitrogen metabolism and nitrogen use efficiency of Platycladus orientalis bareroot seedlings. Results showed that compared with U treatment, the SUG treatment significantly increased the biomass, length, specific root length, surface area and volume of fine root. The total absorption area and active absorption area of fine root were also increased remarkably under the SUG treatment. The specific root length in the SUG treatment was increased by 34.7%, 37.9%, 41.1% and 12.4% compared with the treatments of CK, U, S and SUM, respectively. Compared with the U treatment, the activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthase, glutamate synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase in fine root of the SUG treatment was improved by 41.2%, 76.6%, 30.7% and 125.8%, respectively, while the ratio of GS to GDH decreased. Not only the ground diameter and plant height, but also the dry matter accumulation of aboveground and underground parts was remarkably enhanced under the SUG treatment. The nitrogen use efficiency was 40.7% in the SUG treatment, being 118.8% and 44.5% higher than the U and SUM treatments, respectively. Gel made of SAP and urea was able to significantly increase the nitrogen use efficiency, promote the growth and enhance the ability of drought resistance by improving the morphological characteristics, enhancing the absorption area and key enzymes activities of nitrogen metabolism in the fine root of P. orientalis bareroot seedlings.